Il guerriero di Nicolò dell'Abate analisi delle condizioni conservative di un frammento pittorico nel cortile della Rocca dei Boiardo a Scandiano, Reggio Emilia

The courtyard of the fortress of Boiardo in Scandiano was decorated with important wall paintings were made by emilian painter Nicolò dell'Abate, in the middle of the sixteenth century. The rich decoration occupied all sides of the courtyard but today only few fragments are survivors. One of which represents a warrior in armor with helmet and shield. The loss of many parts of this area probably is due to aggressive pollutants also favored by the wet weather. In June 2011 started an important diagnostic project aimed at studying of the fragment that decorate the entrance of the fortress. First of all, to develop this project, were used non-invasive techniques. By non-invasive Microwave Dielectric Spectroscopy, was possible to show the presence of rising humidity with plenty of soluble salts. Instead by non invasive technique of Fiber Optic Reflectance Spectroscopy was possible to characterize the materials were used to realize wall paintings and substrate and to identification the products of degradation that may be present. After has been useful to further study and materials characterizations by analysis of micro-invasive samples (Infra Red spectroscopy). This diagnostic project has highlighted a very compromise situation cause mainly by environmental conditions. This observation impose a difficult choise of conservation strategies that are not restricted to only restoration work. Key-words: wall paintings, weathering, pollutants, soluble salts, rising humidity.